It's not the clear skies and sun that residents have been hoping for, but the Rochester Lilac Festival poster reveal added a little bit of light to an otherwise dreary Rochester spring and served as a reminder that warmer temperatures are just around the corner.

The 2018 festival poster by local artist Kathryn Bevier was unveiled on Tuesday morning at the Olmstead Lodge in Rochester. Bevier worked in pastels, drawing upon her personal experiences in the park to create the piece that will serve as the poster for the 120th annual Rochester event.

"When I was commissioned for this, it was the dead of winter so what inspired me was I just remembered how, when I first moved here, the paths moved up the hill and the lilacs were everywhere," said Bevier. "I really wanted to capture that mood of walking through the lilacs. I like the idea of the path being very inviting."

This year's 10-day festival, presented by Five Star Bank, will kick-off May 11 with a tribute to 'hometown heroes', which will honor local veterans and those who are currently serving.

Throughout the festival, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy more than 80 musical acts, free of charge. In addition, more than 40 food vendors will serve a variety of festival favorites for attendees to enjoy.

"This is festival city," said Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo. "You are not going to be disappointed this year."

Dinolfo added that in addition to the entertainment the festival provides residents of all ages, it is also important to economic development. Over the course of the 10-day festival, organizers anticipate the event will bring more than 500,000 people to the area.

But beyond the festivities, what attracts people to the event year after year is the beauty of Highland Park, and of course, its lilacs.

Superintendent of Horticulture for Monroe County Parks Mark Quinn said that around this time of year, people are always worried about whether or not the lilacs will be in bloom come festival season. He delivered good news.

"The bloom is going to be phenomenal this year," said Quinn, adding that the lilacs had experienced no damage at all during last week's ice storm. "I was out this morning, the earliest of the early lilacs you can see just a little bit of color in them. We're confident that there's plenty of time left to move them along."

"The lilacs, like the rest of us, are just waiting for some warm spring temperatures to come out in all their glory," he said.